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Last week, Former Rhino forward Chaseton Sare inked a contract with the United States Hockey League’s Central Illinois Flying Aces and has since become the first Rhino to ever take the ice for a USHL team.

Sare’s junior hockey track to the USHL started with a short stint in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with the Kindersley Klippers in 2016-17. He finished the season with the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s Pilot Butte Storm where he posted 36 points in only 29 games. He then attended the Rhinos’ Saskatchewan tryout camp where El Paso’s coaching staff was immediately drawn to his style of play. “When Chaseton came to our very first tryout camp in Saskatchewan,” Rhino Head Coach Cory Herman recalls, “his skill and feistiness was what stood out the most.” Herman instantly offered Sare a spot on the roster. “We talked to Chaseton about our program, the training center, RapidShot and the amount of practice time he would receive to improve as a hockey player. We also talked to him about the junior hockey experience: our diehard fans, sold out games and a pro hockey atmosphere he would get to experience as a Rhino.”

Weeks later, the Canadian left Regina for the Sun City to begin his career with the Rhinos. Sare explained, “Coach Herman offered me a spot to come out to El Paso. When I first arrived, I instantly loved the city. El Paso is a hockey player’s dream.” After 96 games in black and orange, one of the most memorable parts of his experience is Rhino Country. “The atmosphere in El Paso is unbelievable. Knowing that that every home game would be a sold-out crowd is a pretty incredible feeling. Being able to skate onto the ice in front of 2,000 screaming fans gets your blood pumping real fast! The fans are absolutely amazing.” Sare is also thankful to the organization and his housing family for making his experience unforgettable. “My billets, Anna and Frank Nazario, I can’t thank enough. They made me feel at home and supported me when I first walked in the door! I want to thank Coach Herman, Vinny Bohn and all the other staff for making my time in El Paso a life changing experience!”

Although Sare has yet to put a point on the Flying Aces’ scoresheet, his physical, blue collar style of hockey is evident in the 17 penalty minutes he has racked up in only two games. That tenacity, according to Herman, is what will help Sare maintain his spot on the roster. “He plays with a chip on his shoulder and a feistiness that rounds him out as a hockey player.” Posting 216 points in just over two seasons with the Rhinos, Sare’s ability is unquestionable. Herman describes, “His puck handling, shot and hockey sense are exceptional, to say the least, and his ability to step up in big games has been a big part of our success the previous two seasons.”

The forward’s talent and persistence on the ice have led to both personal and team achievements. With 108 points, Sare surpassed Marcus Wilhite for the Franchise’s All-Time Points per Season record during the 2016-17 season, his first season with the Rhinos. In 2017-18, he helped lead the Rhinos to their fourth Thorne Cup Championship title. Only four games into the 2018-19 season, the Saskatchewan native also became the Franchise All-Time Goal Leader, a record that had been unbroken since 2010. He is currently ranked second in Franchise All-Time Points and third in Franchise All-Time Assists.

In making the jump to the USHL’s Tier I junior hockey program, Sare becomes as USHL alumus along with over 250 NHL players. Capitals TJ Oshie and John Carlson, Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau and Las Vegas’ Max Pacioretty have all played in the USHL. The League also boasts 347 current players with NCAA College Commitments. In a statistic provided by the USHL, approximately 95 percent of its players will eventually earn a NCAA Division I college scholarship.

The Rhinos organization is grateful to the contribution Chaseton Sare has made over the past three seasons. We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him excel in his hockey career.